Team wants pledge Romanov won’t pick team

ROB ROBERTSON February 09 2006

Hearts players will ask for cast-iron assurances from club owner Vladimir Romanov that he will not interfere again in team affairs.

The first-team squad have asked for a meeting with the Lithuanian multi-millionaire following his insistence that head coach Graham Rix made six changes for the game with Dundee United on Tuesday.

Rix told the players that Romanov was interfering in team affairs and the side which took the field at Tannadice had not been chosen by him.

As a consequence club captain Steven Pressley, speaking on behalf of the players yesterday, said they would be seeking to have talks to spell out their concerns.

"After our team meeting we decided unanimously to seek a meeting with Mr Romanov to try to resolve the situation," said Pressley.

Romanov flew out of Scotland yesterday and is not due back until Friday evening. It is likely that he will meet with the players on Saturday evening after their league match against Aberdeen.

Despite his authority being undermined, Rix said: "I am not leaving, no chance. I am not a quitter. I have worked really hard since coming up and the performances we've had show what a together group we are.

"It is a great job and a great club and I have had worse moments in my life. I have been happy with the support big time. I have got to say a massive thank you to the 4000 fans that were there [at Tannadice] last night.

"The support they gave me and the team was fantastic and it has been like that since I got up here. It is a full house week in, week out so I want to say a big thank you."

Rix revealed he will also be speaking to Romanov, but was reluctant to disclose what would be discussed or whether he would be the one picking the team for the match on Saturday.

"I can't comment on that," he added. "I'll have a meeting with Mr Romanov sometime this week and we'll discuss things."

Despite the situation, Rix claimed he still loved his job and praised his players who have supported him in the row with Romanov.

"I have a good situation here and a great set of lads who have shown great professionalism," said Rix. "They are getting on with the job even though they have had a lot to contend with.

"I am not worrying about anything. I love it and I am being professional. The support has been very good and I am pleased to have it.

"The players have been doing fantastic for me. I am a cool guy and I am happy. We have a big game on Saturday at Tynecastle so we have got to focus on that and prepare properly to go out and try to win the game."

Hearts supporters are keeping a close eye on the latest row at Tynecastle. Derek Watson, secretary of the Hearts Supporters' Trust, said: "It is certainly concerning.

"I don't think the supporters want to say too much at the moment, however, because it is between the players, the management and the board.

"The players want a meeting with Mr Romanov so we will see what transpires. We must also remember Mr Romanov is the man who saved this club and helped to bring in all these players."

Taken from the Herald